The Library of Dr. Rodney P. Swantko

The Library of Dr. Rodney P. Swantko

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 33. Steinbeck, John | Presentation copy of Tortilla Flat in striking condition.

Steinbeck, John | Presentation copy of Tortilla Flat in striking condition

Auction Closed

June 26, 02:59 PM GMT

Estimate

6,000 - 8,000 USD

Lot Details

Description

Steinbeck, John

Tortilla Flat. New York: Covici-Friede, [1935]


8vo. Inscribed by Steinbeck on the front free endpaper, half-title, illustrations by Ruth Garnett; apparent paper flaw to margin of p. 32. Original tan cloth, top edge stained blue. Pictorial dust jacket designed by Garnett, glassine wrapper; a few stray spots to spine panel, very minor toning to upper margins of jacket.


First edition, cloth issue (approximately 500 copies were also issued in wrappers). Presentation copy, inscribed by the author: “For Harold James Baily | With hearty regards | John Steinbeck.”


It was Tortilla Flat, Steinbeck’s fourth novel, that established his reputation. Within a decade the story of Danny and his Mexican-American paisanos, set in Monterey, sold over a million copies and was translated into almost every European language.


A well-preserved copy.


REFERENCE:

Goldstone and Payne A4b


PROVENANCE:

Harold James Baily (presentation inscription)

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